Washoe County's top elections official Cari-Ann Burgess takes leave of absence for stress

This story has been updated to add comments from two commissioners.

Washoe County’s top elections official is taking a leave of absence due to stress less than six weeks before the November election when Nevada is considered a swing state in the presidential election.

“This week, interim Registrar of Voters, Cari-Ann Burgess, expressed to County Manager (Eric) Brown that she was experiencing stress related health issues,” a county spokesperson said in an email Wednesday.

“At his recommendation, she has requested a leave of absence for self-care. We are committed to the health and well-being of Ms. Burgess and running a smooth and fair election is a top priority for the County. The Registrar of Voter's office is prepared and confident for the upcoming election in November.”

Deputy Registrar of Voters Andrew McDonald will fill in during Burgess' absence.

The Nevada Secretary of State’s office, which oversees elections at the state level, said it does not comment on county personnel issues.

“Our office fully supports the Washoe County Manager's and Registrar's Offices and we are working closely with them for the successful administration of the 2024 General Election,” a spokesperson said in an email.

This is the second Washoe County registrar to step away from the job this year.

Jamie Rodriguez put in her letter of resignation in early January. No reason was given.

Rodriguez had filled the role ahead of the 2022 election after Registrar of Voters Deanna Spikula resigned, citing burnout and threats.

Burgess had been an election administrator in Minnesota before joining the elections team in Douglas County.  She came to Washoe County as deputy registrar of voters in September 2023.

When Rodriguez left, Burgess took on the role of interim registrar, often saying she did not want to go through the official hiring process for the county’s top elections job until after November.

During a tour of Washoe County’s election facilities in January, Burgess said, “I'm very passionate about elections. I absolutely love them. It's my way of giving back to the community to make sure that they're done right.”

Commissioners respond to Burgess leave of absence

Commissioner Mike Clark said this turn of events in the registrar’s office makes Washoe County a laughingstock.

“This is a mess,” he said by phone. “This is before a major, very contentious national election, and this makes the public uneasy.”

Commission Chair Alexis Hill said she just wants to see Burgess healthy.

“We’re supporting her,” Hill said. “She’s put together a great team, and we know they’re going to do great until she’s able to come back.”

Timeline for Washoe County registrar of voters

• Sept. 21, 1999: Interim Registrar Dan Burk was appointed after commissioners accepted the resignation of Registrar Laura Dancer on Dec. 8, 1998.
• April 9, 2013: Luanne Cutler, who’d been administrative assistant in the registrar’s office, was appointed after Burk's resignation.
• Nov. 17, 2017: Deanna Spikula, who’d been assistant registrar, was appointed to the top position after Cutler retired.
• Dec. 13, 2022: Jamie Rodriguez, who’d been a government liaison for the county, was appointed registrar after Spikula officially resigned July 31, 2022.
• Jan. 2, 2024: Rodriguez resigned and Cari-Ann Burgess was named interim registrar of voters later that month.

Mark Robison is the state politics reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal, with occasional forays into other topics. Email comments to mrobison@rgj.com or comment on Mark’s Greater Reno Facebook page.